1 August 2025
Good Morning Everyone,
Thank you so much for being with us today! We hope that the week has been kind to you.
I am going to start with another heartbreaking moment – Heidi’s report for today. This beautiful baby, with only one week to fledge, has died. The commercial overfishing of Menhaden in this region has shaped this entire season. Buckets of tears are being shed, and everyone feels helpless. Do we have to wait for the Governor of Virginia to be replaced? Cannot the other States in the surrounding area do something to stop this genocide?
Please send your positive wishes that the two remaining chicks get enough food to fledge and migrate out of the Chesapeake. Maybe these ospreys will find another home – a place that will protect them and appreciate and love them.
“Kent Island, Chesapeake: Sadly, there weren’t enough fish being brought to the nest by Tom and Audrey, and Little Boy 3 lost his struggle to survive at 47.5 days of age. He was so endearing, and we all loved him. Fly high with a forever-full crop sweetie. We all are hoping that he will still be given a name.”
Thankfully, Heidi has some good news!
‘Lil’ Peabody’s wings took him far beyond where these two will fly. He joins thousands of others who have perished this year. This is the latest from Ben Wurtz. Please read it. Take it all in. I know you love these magnificent gentle fish eaters like I do – get angry. Cry. Maybe throw something and then start lobbying on behalf of the ospreys and all the other wildlife whose populations are being decimated by commercial fishing!
The summer is flying by. The female ospreys are preparing to leave, or some have left on their long migration. The juveniles are flapping, eating, and gathering their own steam to leave the natal territory on their first great adventure. The dads wait for all to go so they can have some fish to themselves and get some strength to fly to their winter homes.
Look at this beauty! Gosh, I love those ‘snake’ eyes. Reminds me of Blue 33. This Norwegian beauty has a long way to go to get to warmer weather! Runi fledged on the 26th of July.
Froy brought a crab to the nest! That was on the 26th, the day that Runi fledged. Have you seen an osplet bring a crab to the nest?
An osprey in the area of the Southern Shores Beach in North Carolina has been photographed flying with a Sailfish in its talons. Will they begin looking for other species in the Chesapeake Bay area OR are all the fish gone? Some know? Write me!
What has Milda been up to since fledging those two beautiful White-tail Eaglets in Latvia? Liz nm has some video for us. https://youtu.be/-Y9kFNKanU8?
T3 spent the night and most of the day at the nest. What a beauty. SK Hideaways caught it on video https://youtu.be/Y9RMrpKyTA8?
‘PS’ sends us the good news out of Seattle, Washington.
“Hi Mary Ann,
Visited yesterday – both young there, with mom making a brief appearance. One of the young took two practice flights while I was there – lifting off from the nest and into the skies for some surprisingly graceful loops around the area before landing (also gracefully – fast learner!) back at the nest. Sibling looked eager – hopping around and flapping her/his wings and I hoped I might see confirmation of both fledging but it was not to be – perhaps today!
It is surprisingly heartwarming and inspiring to see these birds, who you have watched since birth, take to the skies as such graceful raptors. Impossible to not have your own heart soar with them when they slip so gently into the air! Full set: https://www.flickr.com/gp/193514804@N08/p4Q1Lzea6p. “
Please check out these beautifully photographed ospreys on the flickr account above. These are some of the finest images of ospreys in a nest I have seen for a long time. Look at those fledglings go! Thank you, ‘PS’.
In the UK, there are four new outbreaks of Avian Flu.
Leicester and Rutland Wildlife Trust give us their season summary as we await the departure of Maya, the four fledglings, and then the last to depart, Blue 33.
Geemef’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Thursday 31st July 2025
It was a slow day today, just three fish from Louis which the chicks didn’t fight over. Breac got the first, Darach the second, and when Breac got the third one, Darach still had plenty of his fish left so they ate on the nest together in reasonable harmony, just a few protesting squeaks at the other’s proximity. Dorcha was around but didn’t compete for any of the fish as the boys made it plain her presence was not required. She’s either fishing for herself or being fed off-nest, or possibly a bit of both. Her tally remains at two while Louis’ now stands at three hundred and seventy three, and the nest total at three hundred and seventy five. Will we see it rise to four hundred this season? Probably, if the chicks stay around for a few more weeks. Steve Q will be able to calculate the odds, possibly with the Week 18 fish stats. Link to Week 17’s stats, published today, in the bonus section. In other news, Garry visited Nest One bringing nesting materials and doing a little tidying, no fish were delivered but that’s not surprising as Aurora hasn’t been seen since Monday and may well be on her way south therefore his tally will probably remain at one hundred and thirty six for the season. A few crows visited Nest Two but there’s not much chance of leftover fish with the two hungry chicks still around. There was some rain overnight but dry during the day – tonight’s forecast is partly cloudy with light winds and a low of 11°C, rising to a high of 18°C tomorrow.Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One (04.28.04); Nest Two (04.33.52)
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/cNsrP5fSZbs N1 Garry LV0 brings a clump of dead rushes and does some tidying 10.30.06
https://youtu.be/imQIELjA2D0 N2 Breac’s shouting pays off when Louis brings the first fish, a flatfish 14.47.44https://youtu.be/KJGJMVqr8m8 N2 Darach gets fish number two but objects to Breac being nearby 19.10.26
https://youtu.be/c3zr2XFPymw N2 Both chicks eat together: Breac has fish three, Darach has fish two 20.28.05
Bonus info – Steve Quinn’s Week 17 fishing stats:
https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/osprey-cam/?ht-comment-id=27030710
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/Kd2L1Nz_I2E N1 Louis brings breakfast and gets another nip for his trouble 2020
https://youtu.be/57UvSSpDhJU N1 Aila makes a seven second appearance on the nest 2020
https://youtu.be/nh0nSXoL1G0 N1 Vera pecks Louis but it’s Doddie who gets the fish 2020
https://youtu.be/xKkstvD5Sic N2 A fledge, a fish, and a crash landing 2022
https://youtu.be/S4bXOzEfa9Y N2 Aerial fight as Dorcha chases an intruder away from the nest 2022
https://youtu.be/yQyJt-gBLKw N2 Sarafina flies from underneath the nest and crash lands on Willow 2022
https://youtu.be/bh8rFF73NG0 N2 Hoodies give Ludo some bother 2023
https://youtu.be/txoV9kCv9EI N2 Ludo eats a whole live fish and swallows the tail 2023
https://youtu.be/YZ-M5ZUiWx4 N2 Dorcha looking fabulous flying past with a fish 2023 (zoom)
https://youtu.be/0pQQIotNUsM N1 Various little birds visit the nest 2024
https://youtu.be/dJAmVH178r8 N1 A juvenile Robin fiddles with the nest furnishings 2024
https://youtu.be/irAW6knurFY N2 A pair of juvenile Bullfinches investigate the empty nest 2024
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Wednesday 30th July 2025
More fish and more fighting – both Darach 7P0 and Breac 7P7 are now in hyperphagia preparing for their first migration journey and are compelled to consume as much as possible. Louis delivered five fish to the nest today, and although Dorcha seemed to get three of them and take them away to eat in peace, she did return them to share with her offspring. Not that they were always grateful, on one occasion Darach lunged at both adults to protect his fish but as experienced parents they merely stepped back and allowed him to take the fish. Louis’ tally now stands at three hundred and seventy, with the nest total of three hundred and seventy two including Dorcha’s offering. Nest One had a few little songbird visitors and Garry LV0 visited too but didn’t bring any fish so his tally remains at one hundred and thirty six. There was no sign of Aurora 536, she was last seen on Sunday 27th – has she left on migration already? If so, we wish her fair winds and plenty of fish, and hope to see her back next Spring. The promised rain materialised along with a few sunny spells, and more rain is expected overnight with a low of 11
°C, changing to light cloud with a gentle breeze and a high of 18°C tomorrow,
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.47.27 (04.19.28); Nest Two 22.35.55 (04.22.01)
Today’s videos:
https://youtu.be/g2pTliEtUbw N2 Louis brings breakfast and Breac gets it 05.09.16https://youtu.be/e2YeXNo2oWc N1 Nest One gets several little visitors including a Robin 07.48.00 https://youtu.be/oal0VpdeChg N2 Dorcha gets the second fish all to herself 08.13.21 https://youtu.be/Vly3stdFv7s N2 Darach gets fish number three then turns on his parents 12.28.01
https://youtu.be/DxY_6Epb4Us N1 Garry LV0 visits briefly but where’s Aurora 536? (Last seen 27th)14.39.52
https://youtu.be/uINk-c-68Hg N2 Dorcha’s alone on the nest when Louis delivers the fourth fish 15.39.57https://youtu.be/j9a4x-pNqm8 N2 Louis brings the fifth fish and Dorcha’s ready and waiting 17.43.17
Bonus watch – Woodland Trust’s new video shows Pine Marten kits romping around – the first born in a new reintroduction project:https://youtu.be/Ljm9WJvFxpc
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/cl1eAm6FOXs N1 Aila jumps in to do a bit of housekeeping 2020
https://youtu.be/fuizCNp_jVc N1 And thereby hangs a tail.. Captain cleans up 2020
https://youtu.be/YI4UBZVYNQM N1 Ouch! Let go! Doddie mistakes Louis’ leg for a fish 2020
https://youtu.be/1JbjYXkzBX4 N2 Who does a flash flypast of the nest? 2022 (slo-mo zoom)
https://youtu.be/cgcwsyN0f_s N2 Dorcha brings a puzzle stick 2022
https://youtu.be/8GXaxy_KAVQ N2 Sarafina’s glad to see breakfast arriving 2022https://youtu.be/umTGPvoNtIQ N2 Dorcha steals a breakfast fish from Ludo 2023
https://youtu.be/vLx9WrSeCkg N2 A Sparrowhawk pays a visit 2023
https://youtu.be/_qjozIrNnhE N1 Garry LV0 brings moss but Affric wants fish 2023https://youtu.be/04rKdVyEFzc N1 Which grey bird does a fast flypast? 2024 (slo-mo repeat with zoom)
https://youtu.be/CzIH1toDNCU N2 Affric pays a quick visit 2024 (slo-mo repeat with zoom)
https://youtu.be/PWlcQcKRdf8 N2 Louis arrives! Great to see him after a few days absence 2024
https://youtu.be/QprHdPaZKDw N2 Louis returns for a second, much longer visit 2024 (zoom)
Geemeff’s Woodland Trust daily summary for Loch Arkaig Tuesday 29th July 2025
Plenty of fish turned up today, all for the ravenous chicks and their long suffering mother on Nest Two. Louis delivered six fish taking his tally to three hundred and sixty five, with the total for the nest at three hundred and sixty seven. It was Darach’s turn to get the lion’s share but Brec and Dorcha also fed well, and despite Louis’ hard work he is also looking in good shape with a nicely rounded crop indicating he is also eating plenty. An unseen intruder bothered Dorcha, was it Garry before he made an appearance on Nest One? He brought a big clump of moss but no fish, so his tally remains at one hundred and thirty six. N
o sign of Aurora today, but there were two quick visits from a Robin and another from a Buzzard, who looked comfortable on the centre perch. After a little overnight rain, the weather was settled today, however drizzle is forecast for tonight with a low of 14°C, and light rain tomorrow morning and late afternoon with sunny spells in between and a high of 19°C.
Night cam switches on (day cam): Nest One 22.58.35 (03.41.53); Nest Two
23.23.06 (04.25.41)
Today’s videos:https://youtu.be/80c8n8icjWk N2 Breac arrives to get the first fish of the day 05.36.27 https://youtu.be/ya-n-a9DizY N2 Darach takes the second fish away from his mum 09.57.39https://youtu.be/W572pWqkHlA N2 Dorcha gets fish number three but lets Darach have it 11.09.17https://youtu.be/lD99HLk-Qhw N2 Both chicks want fish number four but again it’s Darach who gets it 16.16.25https://youtu.be/T3p6txWKeaM N1 A Buzzard visits and perches for a few moments 16.43.28https://youtu.be/p7mDh_24FhA N1 A Robin visits again, same one or another? 04.38.53 / 17.55.04https://youtu.be/nym1Vib30tM N1 Garry brings moss and does a little nest tidying 18.25.14 https://youtu.be/zXkR_-eiYiY N2 Breac arrives just before Louis to get fish number five 19.36.01 https://youtu.be/adIr8WuK1l8 N2 Dorcha’s eating F5 when Louis arrives with the sixth fish 21.40.12
Bonus webinar on Osprey migration from Dr Tim Mackrill, raptor expert and founder of the Osprey Leadership Foundation:https://youtu.be/JXWgoSF-Yrk
Blast from the past, this day in previous years:
https://youtu.be/65VTcTWBkVY N1 What makes the chicks go on high alert? 2020
https://youtu.be/5Z0vj85sWko N1 Aila’s waiting for Louis’ fish but lets Doddie take it 2020
https://youtu.be/xpyogWxLzQ8 N1 Captain’s share 2020
https://youtu.be/Lij7mWnm70A N2 Mini fledge but so far and no further! 2022
https://youtu.be/JqvlmVGLJPg N2 Lovely helicopter but still no fledge for LW6 2022
https://youtu.be/tFxRlDePet8 N2 Fish number one and only, headless trout 2023
https://youtu.be/6v_LyOHunUU N2 Louis has a stand-off with a cheeky Hoodie 2023
https://youtu.be/BwkefmoTjdQ N1 Affric arrives, waits, no response, departs 2023
https://youtu.be/Lbdqih9j8Jk N2 Three Hoodies work cooperatively until chased away by Louis 2023
https://youtu.be/ZozTNcuC3a0 N1 Garry LV0 arrives alarm-chipping 2024
https://youtu.be/7vYMN9QOr90 N1 Affric 152 follows Garry LV0 when he returns to the nest 2024
https://youtu.be/VDKpq9TtiJk N1 A Wood Pigeon perches for a little while 2024
I know you probably haven’t thought about it, but summer is speeding up. It is the first day of August, and soon we will have osprey eggs in South Australia! Gosh, I wish Ervie would get a mate! Do we need Roy Dennis to translocate some females to Aussie Land? Bradley was stopping on Tumby Island. Where are Partney and Marrum? Check out the Port Lincoln Osprey FB page for all the latest news.
Some of you will remember my praise for the visiting Vet at our wildlife rehabilitation clinic, Wildlife Haven. Dr Tess was determined that wild animals could live in the wild even with physical challenges such as three legs. She ‘invented’ a mechanism to save a turtle whose shell was soft – 200 days later that turtle has been released to the wild! Thank you Dr Tess for your love and belief in things wild.
https://www.facebook.com/reel/215984769453847
Final update on the “Shell-evator” patient!
After 200 days in care, several wire tightenings, a few bumps along the way but mainly many successes, patient 24-1880 more comonly refered to as the “Shell-evator” was released back to the wild!
We are so grateful for the support from our community, who rallied behind this patient and ensured she received the best care possible. The work we do would not be possible without you.
It feels terrific to see this turtle make it to the wild. We met the turtle, talked with Dr Tess, and admired her dedication and determination. Hopefully, some of our donations helped this happen.
Coeur de’Alene Osprey Platform: The three surviving chicks appear to be doing rather well at this Idaho nest.
Juurusvesi -There is a lot of fish in Finland! I didn’t count. It seemed that one came in right after another. Video capture by
Kala Saaski. https://www.youtube.com/live/27ZzX88ZtIo?s
Final fledges at Kielder Forest. Here is the roundup!
It is getting serious at the West End nest. MV brings Haku a nice fish gift – and she accepts. SK Hideaways has it on video: https://youtu.be/UlU5rCg6ygc?
And while we are all thinking about what to do til the fall arrives, I would like to point out that in about 5-6 weeks, Gabby should be back at the NE Florida nest! Oh, let’s hope that Beau is there, too.
Thank you so much for being with us today. Take care. We will see you again on Monday!
Baby Hope wishes you a joyrful weekend.
I want to thank our notable contributors, ‘Geemeff, J, Heidi, PS, PB’, the owners of the streaming cams listed in bold, the individuals who take the time to create videos, including SK Hideaways, and the authors of posts such as Jeff Kear at UK Osprey Information, and all others, often too many to name. I am very grateful to you and to the newspapers that still cover environmental issues as they relate to our precious feathered friends and to the people at the Conserve Wildlife of New Jersey and Ben for this monitoring and reporting of the issues impacting the osprey in that region. My blog would not be what it is without your input into the world of birding.
